Consumers who currently shop via their mobile phone are making more purchases in 2011 than they did in 2010. A new study conducted by Wakefield Research and commissioned by Motricity found that shopping via a mobile device is increasing and will likely be a popular activity during the 2011 holiday shopping season.

According to the report, 70 percent of device-shoppers said they are making more purchases from their device in 2011 than they did in 2010.  Security, howveer, is still a top barrier to buying from a device. Approximately 32 percent said that security was an issue. In addition, 32 percent also said that usability was a factor, claiming it's too difficult to see all the product information on their device screen.

Nevertheless, those that are buying are not afraid to make big purchases. According to the report, the most expensive thing Americans have purchased over a smartphone or a tablet cost $274. Men tend to make pricier purchases. On average, men spent $312 on the most expensive item purchased from their device while women spent on average about $222.

Shoppers between ages 25-44 are nearly twice as likely (42 percent) to think that shopping from a mobile device is more convenient than shoppers between ages 18-24 (23 percent).   

The study queried more than 400 U.S. consumers over the age of 18 who owned a smartphone or a tablet between Nov. 8 and Nov. 14.